After Ayame's distraction and the dissipation of the fog, Kiko and Yumi managed to find the secret passage that Ren had used to enter the tower. However, the path was not free of obstacles. A guttural roar echoed in the darkness, and an imposing shadow materialized before them. It was an Oni, a demon guardian of the fortress, with rocky skin, sharp horns, and an iron mace that it wielded with fury.
Ayame, with the grace of a panther, lunged at the Oni, her movements swift and fluid like water. Her katanas gleamed in the dim light, leaving trails of light as they cut through the air. The Oni roared again, raising its mace to crush the young warrior. But Ayame was too agile. She jumped over the mace, using the momentum to propel herself upwards and deliver a series of precise cuts to the demon's arm.The Oni roared in pain, recoiling from the unexpected attack. Kiko seized the opportunity. Knowledgeable about the mechanisms and traps of the fortress, she activated a hidden panel on the wall. A shower of sharp rocks fell from the ceiling, forcing the Oni to shield itself with its mace. Yumi, with her wind magic, amplified the force of the rocks, turning them into deadly projectiles.The Oni, caught in a storm of stones and steel, could not defend itself from all the attacks. Ayame, taking advantage of its confusion, slipped between its legs and delivered a deep cut to its heel. The Oni roared again, this time with a groan of pain and frustration. It tried to hit Ayame with its mace, but the young warrior was too quick. She dodged the blow and jumped back, putting distance between herself and the demon.Kiko, seeing that the Oni was weakened, activated another trap. The ground beneath the demon's feet opened up, revealing a deep pit. The Oni, with a final roar, fell into the trap, disappearing into the darkness.The three warriors breathed a sigh of relief. They had overcome the first trial, but they knew that the path to Ren and Aiko would be fraught with danger. With renewed determination, they ventured further into the tower.